The Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine was well represented on the national stage during the American Osteopathic Association’s (AOA) House of Delegates annual meeting, held July 17-19 in Chicago. Students, faculty, and alumni joined osteopathic physicians and leaders from across the country to help shape the future of the profession through advocacy, governance, and leadership.
Leading the way were two ICOM fourth-year medical students who currently serve in national leadership roles within the osteopathic profession.
Lu Wolff, OMS-IV, serves as President of the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA), the nation’s largest student organization representing osteopathic medical students. Throughout the meeting, Wolff helped lead discussions on issues impacting medical education, physician advocacy, and the future of osteopathic medicine.
Also serving in a prominent national leadership role is Mara Krutsinger, OMS-IV, who represents osteopathic medical students nationwide as the Student Representative on the AOA Board of Trustees. During the meeting, Student Physician Krutsinger was also recognized as a recipient of the Osteopathic Political Action Committee (OPAC) Student Scholarship, an honor awarded to students who demonstrate a strong commitment to physician advocacy and health policy.
Dylan Trama, OMS-IV, also attended the House of Delegates in his role as Professional Development Director for National SOMA, where he helps develop leadership and professional growth opportunities for osteopathic medical students across the country.
Several members of ICOM’s Student Government Association (SGA) and the College’s SOMA chapter also attended the House of Delegates, participating in educational programming, networking with osteopathic leaders from across the country, and observing the policymaking process that helps guide the profession.
Representing Idaho’s practicing osteopathic physicians was Dr. Sarah Davis, ICOM Associate Dean of Osteopathic Integration, who served as a delegate for the state of Idaho during the House of Delegates. In this role, she joined physician leaders from across the nation in debating and voting on policies that influence the future of osteopathic medicine and patient care.
“The House of Delegates provides an incredible opportunity for students to witness firsthand how physician leadership, advocacy, and policy come together to shape the future of healthcare,” said Dr. Davis. “Having ICOM students serving in national leadership positions and actively participating in these important conversations reflects the caliber of future physicians we are preparing.” ICOM’s strong presence at this year’s meeting underscores the College’s commitment to developing physician leaders who are engaged not only in clinical excellence, but also in advancing the osteopathic profession through service, advocacy, and leadership at the local, state, and national levels. With three fourth-year students serving in national leadership positions, ICOM continues to make an impact on the future of osteopathic medicine well beyond its campus.
